The Brasenose alumnus, who is playing the title role in Doctor Dolittle at the New Theatre Oxford, joined the team at St Edward’s Boathouse, in Godstow, just before sunrise on Monday morning.
The team took him out on the River Thames and put him through his paces along a 2km stretch.
And the actor, who played Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films and stars in Father Brown, was thrilled to be given the chance to row alongside them.
“It was an ambition realised,” he said.
“Up before dawn with all those dedicated students, it was fantastic. I’ve always wanted to row in an eight and I got it. When it goes - blimey it goes. It’s like a sports car!
“Toughest thing for me was, I’ve got technique and know how to do, but the boat is so thin and goes from side to side, so trying to find right depth to put the oars was the challenge. After a while I think you just feel it, so you balance or compensate, where as I was trying to look for it, but I think I got there in the end.”
Tim Grant, Head Coach for Brasenose College Rowing Club, said Mark had proved himself a natural out on the water.
“He did a very good job. For someone who has never rowed before he picked it up tremendously quickly. I think if he had been a novice rower back in the day, he would have done a very good job. We’ve been very impressed.
“It’s great to welcome someone like Mark back. It’s really inspiring for the team to row with someone like Mark who has been so successful in his career. It really means a lot for him to come down and everyone had a great time.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=125&v=aRVRa3q9O2c
Catch Mark, along with Vicky Entwistle and Brian Capron, in Doctor Dolittle which runs at the New Theatre Oxford until Saturday, January 26.
For further information and to purchase tickets visit www.atgtickets.com
